Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I share the concern of the Deputy and I am endeavouring to do the best I can in regard to these matters. However, as a former Minister, the Deputy will know that in Departments such as the Department of Health or the Department of Education and Skills, in particular, 80% of the budget is centred around salaries and related costs. Therefore, the room for manoeuvre is confined to that 20% which affects the rest of the activities of the Department of Education and Skills. In the context of the Croke Park agreement that means very difficult decisions must be made.

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